Md. Woman Narrowly Escaped Hostage Situation In Kenya

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — There’s still a very volatile situation in Kenya, where terrorists took control of a shopping mall, killing dozens of people. It’s still not clear whether some hostages are still inside. WJZ has learned a local woman narrowly escaped the gunfire.

Kai Jackson has the worldwide impact on the ongoing attack.

The world is watching the events unfolding in Kenya. That includes people in Maryland with close ties to the nation.

Gunfire continued for a third straight day in Nairobi, Kenya. Authorities say a terrorist attack at an upscale mall has killed more than 60 people and left police battling with the gunmen to end the siege.

“A lot of casualties. They were rushed in; they were hurt [in] different parts of the body. We’re just trying to get them in and treated as fast as we could,” said hospital volunteer Abiti Shah.

The assault started Saturday when gunmen stormed the Westgate Shopping Mall. A terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda, al-Shabab, is claiming responsibility for the attack.

The State Department says Americans are among the injured.

President Barack Obama has even spoken with Kenya’s president.

“To the Kenyan people, we stand with them against this terrible outrage that’s occurred,” Obama said.

The FBI is investigating claims that American people were involved in the attack.

Sara Head, who lives in Silver Spring, was in Kenya on business. She was at the mall when the attack happened.

“There was quite a bit of gunshots initially. After that, we didn’t hear any for a while and people began to calm down. It got quite hot,” she said in a Skype interview with CBC News.

“Terrorism has no place anywhere,” said Karanja Mwaura.

Mwaura is a computer trainer in Parkville. He’s from Kenya and has lived in the United States for 20 years. He believes the attack is retaliation for Kenya’s efforts to help stabilize neighboring Somalia.

“Those militants did not like that. So I think this is a payback, you know, saying, `Hey, stay out of our country or our business’ or something like that,” Mwaura said.

President Barack Obama pledged to provide whatever law enforcement support the Kenyan government may need.